Amidst a post war Tokyo Viscount Tsubaki has been found dead; dying at his own hand his family seemingly mourn him but later death visits the Tsubaki house once more and it is Kindachi's job to reveal the murderer.

This was another brilliantly+ written Kindachi novel; once again full of twists and turns with some very colourful characters, I love Agatha Christie and feel like Kindachi is a Japanese Marple or Poirot who is overlooked and underestimated by many due to his appearance but who deducts and cleverly surmises the culprit. An gripping and entertaining locked room mystery.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

The Devil’s Flute Murders, first published in Japanese in 1953, is the fifth of Seishi Yokomizo’s detective novels to be made available in new English translations by Pushkin Press. I’ve now read all five of them and enjoyed some more than others; I think this is one of the best, along with The Inugami Curse and The Honjin Murders.

In this book, set in 1947, Yokomizo’s dishevelled, nervous, stammering detective, Kosuke Kindaichi, is approached by a young woman who wants him to investigate the disappearance of her father, Hidesuke Tsubaki. Tsubaki, who had been a viscount until the recent abolition of the Japanese aristocracy, was found dead in the woods several weeks after leaving his family home, but although his daughter Mineko was the one to identify the body, she now has reason to believe he isn’t dead at all. There have been sightings of a man closely resembling Tsubaki in the grounds of the family estate and sounds of the haunting flute playing for which he was famous in his lifetime.

That evening, Kindaichi is invited to a séance at the Tsubaki home, which has been arranged by the viscount’s widow in the hope of discovering whether her husband is alive or dead. At the end of the event, a recording of Tsubaki’s final composition, The Devil Comes and Plays His Flute, begins to play by itself – and next morning, Kindaichi hears the news that another family member has been found dead in a locked room during the night. Who is responsible for the murder? Is the viscount’s ghost really haunting the family estate? And what is the meaning of the strange symbol found at the scene of the crime?

Yokomizo’s plots are always clever and fascinating and don’t rely quite as heavily on complex puzzle-solving as some of the books I’ve read by other Japanese classic crime authors. Understanding the relationships between the characters, their family secrets and their personalities and motives is just as important as working out how the crimes were committed. I guessed who the culprit was but didn’t know why they did it – I’m not sure if it would have been possible to know until the backstory of each character was revealed, but maybe I missed some clues.

Something else I like about this series is the insight the books offer into life in Japan during the post-WWII years. In The Devil’s Flute Murders the shadow cast by the war is particularly strong. There are mentions of food shortages, problems with electricity supplies and overcrowded, unreliable public transport. The new constitution drafted by the Allies during the occupation of Japan is the reason why Tsubaki and other members of the nobility have lost their titles, while bombed out houses and damage from fire has led to Tsubaki’s extended family all coming to live on the former viscount’s estate, bringing them together in one place for the events of the novel to play out.

This is the first book in the series to be translated by Jim Rion (the others have been translated by Louise Heal Kawai, Bryan Karetnyk and Yumiko Yamazaki). I think all of the translators have done a good job and I haven’t noticed any real differences in quality or readability between the different translations. My only problem with this one came when Kindaichi’s investigations take him from the Tsubaki home in Tokyo to Awaji Island near Kobe in the west and I found the way Rion chooses to write the western accent slightly odd and jarring. Of course, I appreciate how difficult it must be to capture nuances of accent and dialect in a translation!

I’m already looking forward to the next Kindaichi mystery, The Little Sparrow Murders, which is due to be published next May and sounds just as intriguing as the others.

My thanks to Pushkin Vertigo for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Devil’s Flute Murders’ by Seishi Yokomizo. It was translated from the Japanese by Jim Rion.

This novel was written in the early 1950s and is set in 1947 as Japan continues its postwar recovery. It is the fifth book in the Detective Kosuke Kindaichi Mysteries that has been translated into English in recent years.

This is a classic locked room mystery. Scruffy private detective Kosuke Kindaichi is visited by Mineko Tsubaki, daughter of Hidesuke Tsubaki, a former viscount, composer and flautist. He had disappeared the previous Spring, one month after performing his new work: “The Devil Comes and Plays His Flute”, a tune that chills the blood of all who hear it. Later his decomposed body was discovered.

However, recently Mineko’s mother, along with two other members of their household, believe they had seen him at an opera. In order to answer the question of whether Hidesuke Tsubaki is still alive, the family is holding a divination evening. Mineko invites Kindaichi to attend. Yet events soon take a shocking turn that results in a series of murders within the feuding family. Kindaichi investigates along with his friend, Chief Inspector Todoroki of the Tokyo Police. No further details to avoid spoilers.

The novel has a large number of characters though there’s a handy listing at the start. In the opening chapter Seishi Yokomizo breaks the fourth wall, addressing his readers as the chronicler of the case distilled from ‘the various materials Kosuke Kindaichi provided me”. In this way Yokomizo serves as a Watson to Kindaichi’s Holmes.

Aside from being a fascinating and complex mystery, Seishi Yokomizo examines Japanese society in the postwar period. It was interesting to see the aftermath of the bombings from this point of view.

Overall, ‘The Devil’s Flute Murders’ proved another compelling mystery in this series. I was pleased to read that a sixth book, ‘The Little Sparrow Murders’ will be published next May.

There are a couple of things about this series that are quite apparent by this time (having read four books). Reading any one of them does not automatically reflect on the possibility of enjoying the others equally. One does not need to read them in order; there are cases sometimes mentioned that may not even have been one of the books already (re) published and are still used as part of characterizing the lead detective. The main repetitive thing is dandruff that flies off his head as he scratches it, something that he does less often here because the seriousness of the events seems to overtake the supposed hilarity of watching flakes of dandruff fly off the central character's head.
The part I best appreciated in this installment was the auro of doom and gloom. None of the people introduced to us were nice or friendly. They all have their own agendas, and they are living a greatly changed life in Japan. The feudal system has been officially scrapped, and the repercussions of that are quite obvious. Kosuke has been invited by a young lady to investigate her family since there has been a resurgence in interest in her father's untimely death. The fact that his last published flute album is making the family uncomfortable is a factor that has her interested in figuring things out after all this time.
The family is a bunch of characters with distinct personalities, but it still took me a while to get them sorted out. There is a seance the night that Kosuke arrives at the home to gauge the situation, followed by a death. There is a lot of footwork and actual 'detecting' involved here.
I think my biggest problem with the plot was the reveal/solution. I won't say much regarding why I disliked it, mostly because that would unravel the entire situation.
I found the book well structured, the translation is effective and smooth, and it has not put me off trying more reprints in this line (if and when they come about).
I would not recommend this particular volume (except to the more adventurous of readers), but the author and his detective are an intriguing look at 1940s Japan.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I'm a Seishi Yokomizo loyalist ALWAYS, and The Devil's Flute Murders hit the spot, as expected. The novel surrounds the prestigious Tsubaki family, of which the patriarch, Viscount Tsubaki, has supposedly committed suicide. To make matters worse, the Viscount was suspected to have been involved in a series of murders, of which his death seemed to have cleared any hand of incrimination. However, his family aren't convinced he's dead nor innocent of the accused crimes, and a bloodbath within the family seems to have Detective Kosuke Kindaichi believing their convictions. And how do they explain the bone-chilling melody that plays at the scene of crime? Of which only the esteemed Viscount knew of?

A murder mystery is nothing without good narration and strong writing, of which Yokomizo delivers and Jim Rion does a brilliant job of translating. The Devil's Flute Murders also provides interesting insight into post-war Japan, when the aristocratic class fell and had to integrate into modern society. There is an Agatha Christie vibe present, but elevated by rich cultural context and history. Always a treat to come across another Detective Kindaichi story.

Thank you to Pushkin Press and Netgalley for allowing me to review this ARC

4/5

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC.

I love this series and this book did not disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. I will admit that I found the story and the relationships between the cast of characters a tad bit more complicated than the previous books but I enjoyed reading it.

The Devil’s Flute Murders is yet another intriguing, entertaining mystery from the chockfull stable of Seishi Yokomizo – one of the most popular and prolific authors of twentieth-century Japan – featuring Kosuke Kindaichi, a private detective with the sharpest of minds hidden beneath an unremarkable appearance.

The daughter of a recently dead former viscount doubts if her father is really dead despite having identified his body herself a few months ago, based on her mother’s report of seeing him at a public place, and retains Kindaichi to investigate the matter. The erstwhile viscount was a quiet, reclusive sort who was also a flute enthusiast with a few compositions to his name and had recorded his latest – named The Devil Comes and Plays His Flute – only days before he disappeared and killed himself, apparently driven by the stress of his recent circumstances. The viscount's widow has arranged for a divination at her house to check if her husband is truly dead, and the daughter wants Kindaichi to attend it. Kindaichi visits the noble household and attends the bizarre divination, and towards the shocking end of the activity, the recording of the late viscount’s final composition – a dark, deranged melody – starts playing on its own, severely frightening the widow. Early next morning, Kindaichi is called back to the mansion with the news of a murder committed inside a perfectly locked room and a sighting of the dead viscount by the housemaid.

The case takes Kindaichi to several places as he tries to track the viscount’s movements before his disappearance, and each truth he uncovers deepens the mystery, which is complicated by the occurrence of more murders. Somebody – it could be the ghost of the dead viscount – is intent on decimating the family, and Kindaichi’s investigative prowess might prove inadequate against whoever is furthering their plans unhindered.

This is the second Kindaichi novel I have read, and I felt it to be a lot more complex than the other one. The large cast of characters, most of whom are unlikeable and a few downright nasty, is convincingly developed. Kindaichi is brilliant and tenacious in equal measures, and his exploits – and his stammering when excited – are entertaining. It takes a while to get into the story initially, but the racing plot and the intricate mystery hold the reader in their grip until the end. The already dark theme of this story gets more ominous with the author’s atmospheric narrative. There are some risqué themes in this novel that, I think, would have been shocking for the time when it was written. I was enthralled by this terrific mystery, which repeatedly beat my attempts at solving it. One of the few things I disliked about this novel was Kindaichi’s flustering at times and his head-scratching, which is off-putting, to say the least. Apart from this minor issue, I enjoyed The Devil’s Flute Murders a lot – the experience greatly enhanced by the smooth translation by Jim Rion – and would love to read more from the series. I wish to appreciate once again the efforts of Pushkin Press towards making world literature accessible to all!

A huge thank you to the publishers for letting me read and review an advance copy of The Devil’s Flute Murders through NetGalley!

Seishi Yokomizo's The Devil's Flute Murders is an enthralling masterpiece—available in English for the first time in this translation by Jim Rion for Pushkin Press—that seamlessly weaves together elements of mystery, suspense, and Japanese cultural traditions. With an intricate plot, captivating characters, and a vivid portrayal of the post-war era, Yokomizo delivers a captivating murder mystery that keeps readers hooked from the very first page.

If the suicide of Viscount Tsubaki wasn’t shocking enough, the suggestion that the troubled flautist may have returned from the dead to take revenge on those who wronged him is nearly enough to destroy his extended family. Fortunately, Tsubaki’s daughter decides to call in famous private detective Kosuke Kindaichi to investigate. Could the ghost of Viscount Tsubaki really be haunting his former family estate? Could the actions of one of his many eccentric relatives have led to his death? And what does any of it have to do with the infamous Tengindo incident?

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in Yokomizo's ability to craft multi-dimensional and intriguing characters. Kosuke Kindaichi, the unassuming detective, with his dishevelled appearance and sharp mind, is a brilliant creation. His eccentricities and astute deductions make him a delightfully unconventional detective who successfully keeps readers on their toes. The supporting characters, such as extended family, the enigmatic nun, and the gossipy innkeeper add layers of complexity and suspicion to the narrative.

Yokomizo's attention to detail is remarkable, effortlessly transporting readers into the atmospheric world of gritty post-war Tokyo and rundown rural Japan. From the descriptions of the landscapes to the meticulous portrayal of cultural customs and traditions, the atmosphere of the story is palpable. The setting not only adds authenticity to the story but also enhances the sense of isolation and foreboding that permeates the narrative.

The pacing of the novel is masterfully handled, steadily building suspense with each chapter. The author skilfully keeps readers guessing, offering a multitude of plausible suspects, red herrings, and unexpected twists. The complex web of clues and revelations unfolds gradually, encouraging readers to engage in their own detective work alongside Kindaichi.

Thank you NetGalley and Pushkin Press for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found this to be quite a unique book, both in the way it was written and the plot. In the simplest way, it was a Japanese-style Poirot, a murder mystery, and only one person clever enough to solve it. Very much like Murder on the Orient Express, the murder is within a locked room, so only the people within the room could have done it, but who did? Just like in many older classics, this book is slow-paced, which if you look at any of my other reviews, you will see I tend to enjoy these books slightly less.

English translations of classic Japanese murder mysteries have become quite popular in the past few years. This isn't the first I've read by Yokomozo but it's certainly just as enjoyable as previous tales. We meet up with Kosuke Kindaichi, the great Japanese detective, in the most recent translation and it's another locked room mystery. The story takes him to Tokyo and then to Kobe and beyond to seek out the answers to this mystery. He is helped along the way by various detectives and various family members. It's a fairly complicated story and there are references to an earlier crime with a possible link.

It's a highly entertaining book and I recommend to those who enjoy the classic style of murder mysteries, be they Japanese or western in content. I give this four stars overall. I would like to thank Netgalley and Pushkin Vertigo for the advanced reader copy. I have provided this review voluntarily.

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Annarella
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February 26, 2023
A compelling, fascinating and well plotted locked room mystery set in Japan after WWII.
There're echoes of Golden Age mysteries and a very complex puzzle at the core of the story.
The detective is a bit down on his luck but I found him well developed.
I read plenty of other stories featuring Kosuke and always loved them, this one is no exception.
I hope more people will read this excellent mystery writer.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

This was a brilliant, page-turning locked door mystery with a complex but well structured plot and characters both realistic and ridiculous. I have not read any of Yokomizo's books before but I will certainly be on the lookout for them now! This book was addictive and superbly clever the way the intricate plot came together over time to weave a chilling tale of murder and hatred. A stellar read and I will absolutely recommend this to fans of the genre.

The Devil's Flute Murders is a Japanese Golden Age murder mystery, set just after the destruction of the Second World War and the post-war dismantling of the Japanese aristocracy.

The great noble families of Japan are a rum bunch, seemingly producing heirs and illegitimate children with abandon and not needing to play by the rules of normal society. Now in the aftermath of the war, the secrets are threatening to be revealed by the ghosts of the past. The brilliantly rumpled private detective Kosuke Kindaichi has to keep his wits about him (if not a hairbrush) to discover the complicated truth.

A recommended read for lovers of murder mysteries.

This is my 1st Seishi Yokomizo book I read, WELL I AM IN AWE. Since the twist is somewhat stunning, the crimes themselves weren't as vicious as you are led to assume. Please take a note for the details cause this is not the kinda simple mystery book you're looking for. I might try to read another Detective Kindaichi's books for sure, ofc.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC.

Another fantastic offering from the reprinted Pushkin Vertigo series with an exquisite work of translation. Once again the unkempt and imperturbable Detective Kosuke Kindaichi is investigating a locked room mystery with his usual air of insouciance. I love this series of mysteries and this offering is the best yet. I also have to give kudos to the funky cover artwork and jacket material. Fab stuff.

My circle continues to widen. I've found Yokomizo.

Apparently he has flooded Japan with whodunnits in the same vein like Conan Doyle and Christie. So I'm quite pleased to have found him.

This book finds us in 1940's Japan in the aftermath of WWII with a locked room mystery together with a lot of twists and turns and red herrings poking out here and there. Lovely stuff for those who like it like I do. And yes I can confirm that Yokomizo does create that sort of vibe which remind me of Sherlock and Christies' books. We have great atmosphere building, great pacing and tragedy upon tragedy, here too sin does not sleep.

An ARC gently provided by Pushkin Vertigo via Edelweiss and Netgalley.

Set in 1947 Tokyo and around Kobe, this murder mystery features several deaths and one extremely dysfunctional extended family (the cast list at the front explains how the 4 surnames relate to each other). The story is told by an unknown narrator who’s recounting a case involving Kosuke Kindaichi as he attempts to unravel it. By the end, the body count is at 7 and the reasons are very black.

As this novel is not the first one of the series, our detective Kindaichi is just presented to the reader without much by way of backstory. The main things I picked up are that he wears worn-out traditional Japanese clothes, that he’s got “mad Einstein-esque” hair and a slight stammer when he’s excited about something. It’s probably best to read the earlier stories first where (I assume) Kindaichi is first introduced to the reader.

I’d be interested in reading another one by Yokomizo to see if the motive for the next one is as black as this one - my preference is for something a little lighter in tone. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the second book by Seishi Yokomizo that I've read and my review for this book is pretty much the same as for Gokumon Island: this cozy mystery is fun, bonkers, and hits the spot if you're into the classic mysteries where someone rich and insufferable dies and the charming detective will figure it all out. I don't enjoy the writing itself a lot, it's a lot of telling and not showing, a lot of overexplaining things to the audience and the pacing doesn't work for me. I will probably keep reading these though because they're fun.

3.75 stars

Set in post war-Japan, this delightfully twisty (and twisted!) mystery sees murder in the heart of an impoverished, formerly aristocratic family. Starting with a seance, a locked room murder, and a man who may or may not be dead, this is a book that would have Agatha Christie on the edge of her seat.

I received this arc for free on netgalley in exchange for a review.

The Devil's Flute Murders was definitely a stronger entry for me than the past two books in the series. In this book, Kindaichi is approached by a young woman named Mineko who involves him in a convoluted case associated with her not-so-long-ago aristocratic family. Mineko's father, Viscount Tsubaki is supposed to have committed suicide but it seems that his ghost is haunting their family, especially her mother Akiko. Tsubaki was also briefly a suspect in a horrific killing spree, but was later set free. And what about the haunting melody that was the viscount's last creation? Why does someone keep playing it whenever the viscount's ghost makes an appearance? As Kindaichi takes the case, he has to see three more people lose their lives before he can reach at the heart of this mystery that was set into motion a long time ago.

The Japanese morals and ideals of that time play an important role in the plot, which is sure to keep its readers engaged. However, I have to say I am getting a little tired of the writer's writing style, who makes the detective as well as the other characters gasp, sigh so many times. Multiple times a chill keeps running down their spines and their surprised expressions are becoming too cliched and seem to repeat in the story too often. Apart from these minor niggles, a good novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pushkin Vertigo for the review copy.